John Edwards Said He Loved Mistress Rielle Hunter, Witness Says

John Edwards has never spoken publicly about his feelings for Rielle Hunter, but new testimony offers insight into his relationship with his mistress with whom he has a daughter.

His former speechwriter Wendy Button testified Tuesday at the former senator’s campaign corruption trial, saying that Edwards admitted he loved Hunter – though described the relationship as “complicated.”

Edwards spoke about the relationship when answering mock questions as he practiced what he would say during a press conference where he planned to admit he fathered a child with Hunter.

“Do you love Rielle?” Button testified she asked Edwards as Button was playing the role of a reporter. “Yes, it’s complicated,” he answered in July of 2009, according to Button.

“Do you still see her?” Button also asked. “‘Yes, she’s the mother of my child,’ ” Button says Edwards replied.

“Is the affair still going on?” Button asked. “You’re not entitled to all the details,” Edward answered.

Those questions are ones Edwards, 58, could be asked again if he takes the stand during his trial on charges he covered up the affair with the help of illegal campaign contributions.

The packed courtroom was riveted as Button spoke on the stand about her conversations with Edwards in July of 2009, when she offered to help him draft a statement admitting he had a little girl named Frances Quinn, now 4-years-old, with Hunter.

In earlier testimony, Edwards’ former aide Andrew Young said that when the politician learned Hunter was pregnant, Edwards reacted by saying “She’s a ‘crazy slut.’ ” Young testified that Edwards said, “There’s a one-in-three chance [the child] was his.”